The Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History
The Black Panther Party
 
Huey Newton with David Sibeko, PAC of South Africa

Downloads

Power to the Panthers: An Overview of the Black Panther Party, 1966-82, by Charles E. Jones (72 KB PDF)

The Black Panther Party was co-founded in Oakland, California in 1966 by two college students, Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale.  The Black Panther Party rapidly evolved from a local, Oakland-based group into a national organization with affiliates in twenty-eight states and Washington, D.C., as well as an international chapter in Algeria. 

Throughout the course of its relatively short existence (1966 – 1982), the Black Panthers galvanized communities and regularly participated in coalitions with the white Left and other radical groups of color including the Young Lords. The Black Panthers were widely known for their dynamic image—berets, black leather jackets, weapons—and their revolutionary zeal. 

Most importantly, their community outreach activities, later named “survival programs,” fed, clothed, educated, and provided health care to thousands.  The Party would eventually reach its demise in 1982 due to dwindling membership numbers, intense political repression and internal conflict.

Bibliography

Download the Black Panther Party bibliography (136 KB PDF file)

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